Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Day 29

Aubrey's new apartment is ready for her, but she's not ready for it until she gets over the cold that's caught her. Moving day is hard enough work when you're well. I hope she feels better tomorrow. It's like that with colds--you think it will never end when suddenly, it simply goes away. She introduced me to Desperate Housewives. It took her a while to convince me to give it a try. I didn't expect the sensibility of a bedtime story. a surreal fable for grown-ups.

Tonight Orion was restless and we read for longer than usual. Our brave and weary troupe managed (thanks to Bilbo) to open the secret back door to the dragon's lair. What struck me most tonight were words about change and courage. Orion asked me what the passage meant and I did my best to explain it simply. I'm not sure if he asked because of the words themselves or because he heard something in my voice as I read them. You may already know them well.
Two passages from Chapter XII:

"He was trembling with fear, but his little face was set and grim. Already he was a very different hobbit from the on tht had run out without a pocket -handkerchief from Bag End long ago. He had not had a pocket-handkerchief for ages. He loosened his dagger in its sheath, tightened his belt, and went on."

and

"This grew to the unmistakable gurgling noise of some vast animal snoring in its sleep down there in the red glow in front of him.
It was at this point that Bilbo stopped. Going on from there was the bravest thing he ever did. The tremendous things that happened afterwards were as nothing compared to it. He fought the real battle in the tunnel alone, before he ever saw the vast danger that lay in wait. "

We don't really appreciate our ability to adjust to change until we do. We can't know the courage of another person--ever--because we're not privy to their quiet victories.
We cannot judge or label because each of us is bigger inside than out. We cannot judge or label ourselves either, because until we are finished, we don't know enough of our story.

It is late. I have used all my energy up on this day. Now to sleep. g'night

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I heard a lovely line in a movie recently: "Courage isn't about not being afraid. It's about being afraid but judging that something is more important than your fear."

Because I'd like to tell you, of course I can't remember which film it was. But the line stuck.

Janet said...

I love reading about you reading The Hobbit to your child :-)